Lethal heritage

  "That, Chu-sa Yodama. That's what we will do right now." Shin heard a series of clicks over his headphones, then saw icons move on his holographic display. At the same moment, wickedly fast little hovercraft shot out into the delta from the swamp forest that bordered it on three sides. Little more than a cockpit sandwiched between a medium laser in front and a fan in back, the inappropriately named Savannah Masters closed on the invaders. In datastacks, the vehicles looked worthless because of their light armor and relatively weak weaponry, but their hellacious speed make them deucedly awkward to hit. As they streaked in, their lasers stabbed out at targets but did little more than boil some armor away.

  The invaders concentrated their attention and fire on the small hovercraft weaving twisted paths through their formation. That gave the heavier, slower hovercraft in the Yuutsu force a chance to move to the edge of the swamp and launch missile and autocannon salvos at the Clansmen. Armor lances concentrated their fire on specific targets, pounding their foes with devastating amounts of energy and projectiles. Shin saw one Daishi splash down on its face, and another 'Mech, one he had designated a Koshi, spun to its knees with one arm limply hanging at its side.

  Suddenly aware of this new threat, the invaders ignored the Savannah Masters and turned to vent their anger on the Drillson and Saracen hover tanks, but the tanks simply melted back into the forest and vanished from scanner contact. The Savannah Masters, skipping across the delta and sandbars like fiat stones flung by some child, likewise took refuge in the forest. Before they had a chance to strike back, the invaders found themselves with casualties but no targets.

  The Smoke Jaguars pushed out and started a drive toward the center of the Combine's waiting forces. As the 'Mech Shin had tagged Hagetaka, for its vulturelike head and birdlegs, stalked toward his position, it suddenly sank beneath the water. The tops of the twin missile racks on its shoulders bobbed up to the surface for a second, then a geyser of gray water and white foam shot up into the sky. Two subsidiary explosions jolted ripples through the delta and sent debris out to pelt the roiling surface with a ceramic rain. Bubbles and steam rising in a thick rope marked the Hagetaka's passing.

  Watching the destruction, Shin told himself that dredging out tiger pits and lining them with vibrabombs might be dishonorable, but they had to do it. As the Kanrei said, "Honor is a thin cloak against the chill of a grave."

  As a second invader BattleMech, this one a Koshi, vanished from sight, a blue LED glowed on Shin's command console. Shin reached out and touched a button bringing his weapons computer on line, and the fusion engines shunted power to the Phoenix Hawk's large laser and the twin medium lasers mounted on the 'Mech's forearms. Now we give them a taste of our power, then we melt into the forest just as our armor did before. For the first time, these invaders will know they have a fight on their hands.

  Shin, in concert with the two Genyosha/Yuutsu regiments, stepped his 'Mech forward to the edge of the swamp forest. He trained all his weapons on a Masakari. The crosshairs pulsed twice as the 'Mech's squat torso filled the holographic display, and as the invader brought his 'Mech's paired PPCs up, Shin fired all three of his weapons.

  The medium laser's bloody beam sliced through the armor shell of the LRM launch canister perched on the Masakari's left shoulder. The other one burned a dark scar in the armor over the 'Mech's left breast, slashing in half the gray jaguar icon painted there. At the same time, the invader's particle projection cannons stabbed blue-white bolts of man-made lightning into the Phoenix Hawk's left thigh and arm. Armor exploded as the beam's hellish heat instantly converted it to vapor.

  Shin fought against the recoil to keep his 'Mech facing forward. The computer cycled energy into the large laser, which coalesced it into a series of luminous green quarrels. The stuttering beam pounded the Masakari's jutting head mercilessly, blasting half-melted armor fragments back to ricochet off the 'Mech's broad chest. The war machine staggered slightly, letting the PPCs dip toward the water, then the pilot seemed to regain control of his machine.

  Before they could exchange another series of shots, a cloud of beams, missiles, and projectiles from others in the Kurita force slammed into the Masakari. Sizzling slugs from a half-dozen autocannon drove the 'Mech to its knees. Lasers boiled armor from it, mottling its smooth flesh with wounds that dripped molten ceramics. A swarm of shortrange missiles converged on it and bathed it in fire. When the flames dissipated, the smoking, misshapen BattleMech lurched forward, then fell on its face. Hissing clouds of steam shrouded the blackened corpse.

  The blue light on his command console died, so Shin backed his 'Mech away to allow the foliage and metal foil to hide him. His last look at the battlefield showed a dozen incapacitated invaders and at least twenty other 'Mechs that had lost the function of one or more limbs. The rest showed signs of damage, though it was mosdy armor damage. As for his own troops, Shin spotted two downed light 'Mechs and a half-dozen places where trees at the forest edge had been turned into torches.

  None of the invaders moved. It's finally sunk in that they bit off a tad more than they can chew. This waiting game will get them killed, and their leader is a fool if he doesn't recognize that fact. Shin studied the delta through some breaks in the tinsel-strewn brush. What's going on? I don't understand this.

  Out in the killing ground, the majority of the Smoke Jaguars moved their BattleMechs back to a line behind the four 'Mechs and two dozen figures in battle armor. A few war machines checked their downed comrades. Where they found signs of life, Shin presumed, they ripped the pilot's compartment from the 'Mech or otherwise assisted the pilot in escaping, then marched off to join the others until only one 'Mech, a humanoid Ryoken, stood between the troops and the forests. That 'Mech raised its arms, which ended in double-barreled large lasers, and Shin heard the crackle-pop of a widebeam radio broadcast in his neurohelmet.

  "I am Galaxy Commander Dietr Osis. I freely admit my responsibility in this defeat and absolve my command of any implication of wrong-doing. I salute you, Hohiro Kurita, and your Yuutsu. You chose the time, place, and nature of our meeting. I see now I was defeated before a shot was ever fired." The 'Mech lowered its arms and cracked the cockpit canopy. "Do what must be done and you can claim your prize."

  Shin frowned. Do what must be done? What in the nine hells is he talking about? Does he think we would not grant him the time to kill himself and absolve his family of the shame of his defeat?

  Almost immediately, Hohiro's voice filled his ears. "Shin, you don't think he wants us to arrange a seppuku ceremony for him, do you?"

  "I don't know, Highness. I am at a loss to suggest an answer."

  Out in the delta, a figure appeared on the Ryoken, stepping from the cockpit to the 'Mech's broad shoulders and up to the top of its head. The man opened his arms wide and again Shin heard Osis's voice. "Please, I beg your indulgence. I know I deserve your scorn, but I am a warrior. Do not break me. That I could not stand."

  The hopelessness in Osis's plea struck a chord in Shin, somehow dredging up the memory of the armored soldiers in Uramachi. This is as strange now as the invaders' actions seemed when they started to raze that ghetto. Somehow I know I should do something for Osis—the desperation in his words tells me that much—but what does he want?

  "Highness, perhaps he wants us to take him captive to prove that he has value. Then, with that amount of his honor regained, he will kill himself."

  "Yes, Shin, perhaps that is it."

  Osis's arms fell to his sides. "I understand. You are right, after what I have done here, I have no more claim to the title of warrior. Please, do not have them destroy my children."

  Shin shook his head to clear it. Destroy his children! We are not butchers! What children is he talking about? What does he mean?

  One of the armored soldiers broke from the formation, and with three incredible leaps, reached the Ryoken, then landed on its shoulder. He raised his right arm and triggered the cylindrical laser on his right arm. Osis's headless body tumbled end
over end to the muddy water below where huge lizards began to converge on it.

  In returning to the ranks of its fellows, the armored figure passed another 'Mech coming out of the fore. A new voice forced itself into Shin's ears. "We regret the oath that prevents us from again attempting to take this world, for there have been few worthy foes in the campaign thus far. With your leave, we will call our ships and depart." Static hissed through a momentary pause, then the voice added, "Do you wish to have the Commander's children destroyed?"

  Hohiro's answer came without a moment's hesitation. "No! We do not want his offspring slain. And yes, do call your ships. Leave at once."

  Shin immediately shifted his radio over to the command frequency. "Sho-sa Hohiro-sama, what do you make of that madness?"

  "I don't know and I don't understand." Hohiro sounded as unnerved as Shin felt.

  "What does it matter, for now, my son?" asked Theodore Kurita. "Let us be content with having accomplished what no one else has been able to do: we have beaten this invader and wrested from him 'Mechs that hold the secret of incredible power. At no time in the history of man has there ever been so great a victory, and in this place and at this time, that is all that matters."

  39

  JumpShip Dire Wolf, Assault Orbit, Engadin VII

  Radstadt Province, Free Rasalhague Republic

  31 October 3050

  Phelan Kell stepped into the viewing gallery overlooking the Dire Wolfs bridge, fully expecting to find it empty. The presence of another individual snapped him out of the daze in which he'd been wandering. "Forgive me, Precentor Martial. I did not know you would be here." He glanced over his shoulder as the door slid shut. "I will leave you."

  Anastasius Focht held his hand up. "No. I am here specifically to see you." The white-haired man smiled and pointed down at the bridge deck where Ulric stood in conversation with the ilKhan. "To see you and to observe from here, as the ilKhan objects to my presence on the bridge."

  The younger man tugged unconsciously at the bondcord on his right wrist. "Yeah, everyone's getting testy around here, aren't they? This meeting of the different clan leaders has them all on edge."

  Focht nodded thoughtfully, then his hands disappeared into the sleeves of his white robe. "True enough. I would give much to learn what is at the heart of this invasion."

  Like an animal with hackles, Phelan sensed danger almost immediately. "It seems to me, Precentor Martial, that you know more about the Clans' true intentions than anyone else in the Inner Sphere except the Clansmen themselves."

  Focht smiled distractedly, then clasped his hands behind his back and began to pace the narrow room. "Do not underestimate your own knowledge of their tactics and ways of battle. Yet, neither of us knows what truly motivates these Clans. Someone as intelligent as you must sense hidden purpose in all this."

  Phelan nodded as he looked down on the bridge. In addition to the usual complement of bridge officers, he saw even more Clansmen whose clothing patches marked them as members of the Ghost Bear, Smoke Jaguar, and Jade Falcon clans. Most of them, he knew, had arrived a week earlier on three different JumpShips. As nearly as he had been able to determine through overheard snatches of conversation and innocently asked questions, they had come to demand and negotiate the details of a meeting of all the Khans involved in the invasion.

  Phelan turned to the ComStar man. "We both recognize rivalries among the Clans, and unless I miss my guess, the early launching of the Wolves' last wave really set the others off. I also gather that the Combine handed the Smoke Jaguars their heads on one world, and that the Commonwealth has made trouble for the Jade Falcons. The Bears have just been slow in consolidating their holdings, all of which means the Wolves, in this warrior society, are top dogs—no pun intended."

  Focht's head came up. "Good. Your information is correct, and at some point, I can provide you with some details of the various assaults. For now, let me say that the Kell Hounds were the linchpin of the victory in the Commonwealth."

  Well, dammit, it's about bloody time! Phelan smiled more cheerfully than he had in months. "Thank you, Precentor. I owe you one."

  Phelan failed to fathom the bemused look that cycled over the Precentor's face. Focht killed it quickly enough as he posed another question. "Have you noticed other divisions within the Clans, one that breaks through Clan lines?"

  Phelan gave it some thought, frowning with concentration. "Not really a division of the Clans ... but I have noted a split in attitude that I attributed to my being a bondsman. Some of the Clansmen seem to accept me freely, or at least view me with curiosity. Others react as though I'm a kind of subhuman. It's like Ulric and Vlad down there on the bridge. Ulric has helped me in return for help, whereas Vlad held me in contempt from the start."

  "This dichotomy is not limited to bondsmen, I can assure you." An edge crept into the Precentor's voice as he watched the ilKhan wander around on the bridge. "Khan Ulric felt it would be good for me to observe the formalities of a Grand Council first hand, but the ilKhan banished me as though I were unworthy of such an honor. I don't believe Ulric ever intended for me to attend the Grand Council, but the ilKhan's reaction cost Leo some face and won Ulric a concession for this meeting."

  Phelan raised an eyebrow. "What was that?"

  "The Dire Wolf will be the only flagship at the meeting. The other Khans will have to arrive in smaller JumpShips. Ulric also managed to set the meeting place for Radstadt, a world well in front of anyone else's line of advance. Its selection reinforces the Wolf Clan's superiority in the invasion."

  The mercenary chuckled lightly. "Ulric does know how to play political games very well."

  The Precentor grunted agreement. "One wonders how to determine when the games end." Focht opened his hands to take in the viewing room. "You and I must both be considered enemies to the Clans, yet Ulric has allowed us to view their activities from here and from the bridge itself. What possible reason would he have to do this?"

  The younger man shook his head. "I cannot answer that, Precentor, but I will admit I constantly find myself in testing situations. It almost seems that he lets us watch him so he can watch us and see how we react."

  The Precentor Martial turned back from the bridge to face Phelan. "I understand that sense of being constantly tested, and I think you're right about it. I sense, too, that Ulric is keeping something hidden from me. Because he plays his games so well, it's hard to know if he truly intends to keep the information hidden, or whether he wants me to know it is hidden so I can ferret it out. And if that latter case is true, why would he want me to learn something that is supposed to be confidential?" '

  "Whoa." The Kell Hound held up his hands. "Those kinds of speculations will have you running in such circles that it'll drive you crazy in the end. Even if there is something that Ulric wants you to discover, getting that information won't be easy. In case it's slipped your attention, we're in the middle of the enemy camp and we've both been identified as enemy agents. Furthermore, such spying would take technical expertise and equipment we don't have."

  Again a look of amusement spread over the Precentor Martial's face. "As I understand it, you have developed the power to walk through locked doors."

  All of a sudden, the boxy sonic lockpick in Phelan's left pocket felt as though its mass had increased a thousandfold. Why the hell didn't Griff get rid of this thing after Vlad beat me up? "Wait a minute! We've suddenly gone from an idle discussion of the Khan to a subject that caused me a painful experience. I swore an oath to Ulric that I would not attempt to communicate information about the Clans to anyone. He fulfilled his side of the bargain we struck. I cannot go back on my word."

  "Admirable," Focht acknowledged, holding out his right hand to Phelan. "Give me the device and show me how it works. I will do the rest and I will even say I stole it from you."

  Three rich tones sounded through the ship, warning everyone of the impending jump to Radstadt. Without thinking, Phelan moved to the couch with its back to the bri
dge and sat down. "I don't think so, Precentor. It would be a violation of my word to do so."

  Focht nodded and sat beside him. "As I said before, your sense of honor is admirable."

  "But?"

  "But is misplaced here." Focht pulled the restraining straps from the crack between the back and the seat of the couch. "It is vital for us to know the true intentions of people as powerful as these Clansmen," he said, strapping himself in. "You have the means to help me gather this information."

  The Precentor paused, smiling and sure of himself. "If you help me in this, Phelan, I will let your family know you're alive."

  Focht's offer hit Phelan unexpectedly. Images of his father and mother and sister floated up from where he had carefully tucked them away, overwhelming him with a wave of sadness. He sighed heavily. "Khan Ulric is not the only one who plays the game well."

  Remorse seamed the older man's face. "Forgive me, Phelan. I would not have played that trump card except that the Primus herself directed me. Obtaining the information I want is of the utmost importance, and only by making that shameful offer could I convince you of the fact."

  The Primus told him to use that tactic on me? This is very important, isn't it? The mercenary fixed the Precentor with an angry stare. "That message would never have reached my family, would it?"

  Focht shook his head.

  "Do you always do what others tell you to do?"

  Focht faced forward and his one eye focused distantly. "There was a time I would have been arrogant enough to say that no one gave me orders, but I have become wiser with age. I realize the importance of my mission among the Clans and I mean to accomplish it." A wry grin twisted up the corners of his mouth as he turned to the mercenary.

  "In case it has slipped your attention, the Clans are rapidly conquering the Inner Sphere. Knowing what they want means we can find a way to appease them or defeat them."